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11
MAINTENANCE
MAINTENANCE
Regular maintenance will improve the performance and extend the life of the engine. See any Authorized Briggs & Stratton Dealer for
service. Use only genuine Briggs & Stratton parts. Other parts may not perform as well, may damage the engine, and may result in
injury. In addition, use of other parts may void your warranty.
ENGINE AND ENGINE PARTS
We recommend that you see an authorized Briggs & Stratton Service Dealer for all maintenance and service of the engine and engine
parts. Use only genuine Briggs & Stratton parts.
Perform the following at recommended intervals:
Task
Perform task at hourly
or calendar interval,
whichever comes first.
Daily
50 Hours
100 Hours
250 Hours
600 Hours
Yearly
400 Hours
Check oil level
4
Check for
oil leaks
4
Change oil 4*
Change oil filter 4*
Clean
air cleaner
4**
Replace air cleaner
cartridge
4**
Check valve
clearance
4* 4
Check battery
electrolyte
4
Change
spark plugs
4
Change fuel filter 4
Clean spark
arrestor (if equipped)
4
MODEL 540000 ONLY
Replace Safety
filter cartridge
4
MODEL 470000 ONLY
Check coolant
4
Change coolant 4***
Check fan belt 4
* Change oil and filter after first 50 hours of use, then every
100 hours or every season. Change oil every 50 hours when
operating the engine under heavy load or in high
temperatures.
Check valve clearance after first 50 hours of use, then
every 250 hours.
** Clean more often under dusty conditions or when airborne
debris is present. Replace air cleaner parts, if very dirty.
*** If an extended life coolant is used, interval may be increased
to once every 3000 hours.
EMISSION CONTROL
Maintenance, replacement or repair of the emission control
devices and systems may be performed by any nonroad
engine repair establishment or individual. However, to obtain
no charge repairs under the terms and provisions of the Briggs &
Stratton warranty statement, any service or emission control part
repair or replacement must be performed by a factory authorized
dealer.
WARNING
If you perform any maintenance on the engine, first
disconnect the spark plug wires from the spark
plugs, and disconnect the battery at the negative
terminal (electric starter engines only) to prevent
unintentional sparking. Unintentional sparking can
result in fire or electric shock. Unintentional start-up
can result in entanglement, traumatic amputation or
laceration. Use only correct tools.
WARNING
• Do not strike the flywheel with a hammer or hard object
because the flywheel may later shatter during operation.
• Do not tamper with governor spring, links or other parts to
increase engine speed.
SPARK PLUG
Change spark plugs yearly. Use only Briggs & Stratton Spark
Tester (part number 19368) to check for spark.
Note: In some areas, local law
requires using resistor spark plug
to suppress ignition signals. If this
engine was originally equipped
with resistor spark plugs, use
same type for replacement.
.020” (0.51 mm)
WIRE GAGE
VALVE CLEARANCE
Check valve clearance every 250 hours.
(See Tune-up Specifications on page 6).